Lawmakers

  IBADAN – THE Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday took the first reading of a Bill seeking to prohibit the production, importation, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastics across the State, as part of legislative efforts to curb plastic pollution and promote environmental sustainability. The Bill, titled Oyo State Single-Use Plastics Prohibition (SUPs) Bill, 2026, was read on the floor of the House during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin. The proposed legislation is jointly sponsored by the Chairman, House Committee on Environment, Ecology and Water Resources, Hon. Olorunpoto Cephas Rahaman (Oyo East/Oyo West), the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin (Ibarapa East), and the Leader of the House, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin (Ogbomoso South). According to the provisions of the Bill, the law seeks to phase out all forms of single-use plastics in Oyo State, including plastic shopping bags, sachet water bags, plastic straws, cutlery, cups, plates and Styrofoam containers commonly used for food and beverage packaging. The Bill also specifically prohibits the use of plastic straws and cutlery in eateries, event centres and other public places. To allow for a smooth transition, the Bill provides for a twelve-month phase-out period from its commencement, during which public sensitisation and behavioural change campaigns will be intensified. The transition period is also expected to enable manufacturers, vendors and consumers to adopt biodegradable and environmentally friendly alternatives. The Bill vests enforcement powers in the Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, which is mandated to establish a Task Force on Plastic Pollution Control to monitor compliance and enforce the law. The Task Force is to collaborate with Local Government Authorities, civil society organisations, environmental marshals and security agencies, while the Ministry may also deploy digital tracking mechanisms and whistleblower reports to strengthen enforcement. The proposed law outlines graduated penalties for offenders, ranging from warnings and mandatory environmental awareness training for first-time offenders to heavy fines, compulsory corporate social responsibility projects and possible closure of business premises for repeat offenders. Companies that continue the production of single-use plastics after the expiration of the phase-out period will also be liable to a special environmental tax of not less than 500 per cent of the regular production tax. In addition, the Bill makes provisions for the promotion of biodegradable and compostable products by supporting local manufacturers, facilitating access to technical assistance and encouraging research and development through partnerships with academic and research institutions. It also proposes incentives such as tax waivers, grants, subsidies and preferential procurement policies for businesses producing eco-friendly alternatives. The Bill further mandates medium and large-scale businesses operating in the State to commit to corporate environmental responsibility through community-based sanitation and periodic environmental clean-up activities. Provisions are also included to promote recycling through investments in waste collection, sorting and recycling infrastructure, as well as public-private partnerships to establish recycling hubs across Local Government Areas.